Neither Biden nor joint vision statement mentions China, but it is the focus of US Indo-Pacific strategy. Joint statement includes deal to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea – often a source of US-China confrontation.

Washington is launching a “new era” in its relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) amid China’s growing clout in the region, US President Joe Biden said, pledging to elevate cooperation on a range of aspects, from the digital economy to security in the South China Sea.

This came as a two-day summit in Washington ended on Friday with an agreement to establish an “Asean-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in November.

He also nominated Yohannes Abraham, chief of staff to the White House National Security Council, to serve as US representative to the 10-nation bloc, a position which has been vacant since 2017.

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